Saoirse Downs
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Ranking is the official ranking of badminton players who participate in tournaments sanctioned by the BWF. The ranking is used to determine qualification for major tournaments such as the World Championships, Summer Olympic Games, and BWF World Tour tournaments. In singles badminton, Viktor Axelsen held the men's world number one ranking for 132 weeks until June 2024 when Shi Yuqi rose to the top spot. An Seyoung is currently ranked world number one in women's singles badminton.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Player | Shi Yuqi |
| Country | People's Republic of China |
| Previous Record | Singapore Open and Indonesia Open wins |
| Previous World Number One | Viktor Axelsen |
| Viktor Axelsen's Country | Denmark |
| Viktor Axelsen's Ranking Points | 122,606 (highest ever) |
| Viktor Axelsen's Ranking Position | Not known |
| Ranking Points System | 124,000 (highest possible as of 2022) |
| Number of Tournaments Considered | 10 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Viktor Axelsen: former world number one
Viktor Axelsen, born on January 4, 1994, is a Danish badminton player. He is a two-time Olympic Champion, two-time World Champion, and four-time European Champion. Axelsen is considered one of the greatest badminton players of all time, with powerful smashes and a solid defence. He has held the No. 1 BWF World Ranking in men's singles for a total of 183 weeks, making it the third-longest reign in badminton history. Axelsen has led the Denmark team to victory in all European Mixed Team Championships since 2015 and all European Men's Team Championships since 2012. On an individual level, he has won three European Championships titles in 2016, 2018, and 2022, and a gold medal at the European Games in 2023.
Axelsen's achievements began at a young age, winning the National junior event in boys' singles and doubles in his age group in 2006 and 2008. He then went on to win the 2009 German Junior and European U17 Championships. In 2010, he reached the finals of the Swedish International tournament and won the World Junior Championships, becoming the only non-Asian singles player to win the title. Axelsen continued his success by winning the Malaysia Open, a Super 1000 event, and defending his championship title in 2022.
In the World Tour Finals, which were moved to Bangkok, Axelsen became the champion and ended 2022 with a year-end number 1 ranking, 6 titles, and only 3 losses out of 55 matches. He was crowned the BWF Male Player of the Year for his exceptional performance, receiving this award for the second time. Axelsen is the current recipient of the BWF Male Player of the Year award, having won it three times since 2020.
Axelsen is a family man, with his wife, Natalia Koch Rohde, giving birth to two baby girls, Vega and Aya Rohde Axelsen, in 2020 and 2022, respectively. His father-in-law, Henrik Rohde, a former coach in the Danish league, also assists in coaching Axelsen.
Jamie Nelson's Basketball Triumphs: Counting Wins
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Shi Yuqi: current world number one
Shi Yuqi is a Chinese badminton player who is currently ranked world number one in men's singles. Born on February 28, 1996, in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, Shi started playing badminton at the age of six when he enrolled in a junior sports school in his hometown. In 2007, he went to Singapore to study and train at the Singapore Badminton School under ex-SBA chief coach Zhang Qing Song. After returning to China in 2009 due to the global financial crisis, Shi continued to pursue his passion for badminton. He won first place in the Jiangsu Province youth badminton competition in 2011, securing his entry into the Jiangsu Province badminton team and becoming a professional badminton player.
Shi's talent and dedication shone through as he went on to participate in various prestigious tournaments and achieve remarkable victories. In 2012, he took part in his first Asian Junior Championships, claiming second place in the mixed team event. The following year, he helped China secure the gold medal in the mixed team event at the Asian Junior Badminton Championships, showcasing his growing prowess on the international stage.
Shi Yuqi's breakthrough year came in 2014, and he soon became a first-line player on the Chinese badminton team in 2016. He won his first Superseries title at the 2016 French Open, solidifying his presence in the sport. Shi's impressive performances continued, and in 2017, he reached the final of the All England Open, defeating the six-time champion Lin Dan. He repeated this feat in 2018, where he claimed the All England Open title. That same year, he won a silver medal at the World Championships, further cementing his status as a rising star in badminton.
Shi Yuqi's journey to becoming world number one has been a testament to his hard work, consistency, and resilience. With his stamina issues addressed and a string of impressive performances, Shi has proven his mettle as a top player. His world number one ranking is a reflection of his dedication to the sport and his ability to maintain a high level of play over time. As Shi continues to dominate the badminton world, his name is sure to be etched in the sport's history as one of its greatest champions.
Dame 5 Basketball Shoes: What's New?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Momota Kento: former number one, now retired
Momota Kento, the former men's world number one in badminton, announced his retirement from international badminton on 18 April 2024. The Japanese star shuttler did not medal at the 2022 world championships in Tokyo and failed to qualify for the season-ending World Tour Finals. Kento admitted that he had been asking himself the same question over and over since a career-altering car crash in January 2020 that nearly killed him. He said that he had tried so many things but just couldn't close the emotional and physical gap between who he used to be and who he became after the accident.
Kento, who made his international debut 10 years ago, said that he will continue to play domestically and stay involved in the game by working with juniors and at a grassroots level. He also said that he will bow out at the Thomas & Uber Cup, his last tournament for the Japan national team. Kento, who was named the top men's player in 2019 after winning a record 11 titles on the BWF Tour, was brutally honest as he announced his decision to retire. He said that he didn't want to blame his decision on the accident and that he had the support of so many people in getting to where he is today.
Kento also said that he didn't want to give up for them and that he had dreamed of wearing the national team shirt and playing for Japan as a kid. He added that not everyone gets that opportunity and that he wanted to give it a proper go in his very own way. The former world number one took every question with a smile and said that he will leave with no regrets, even if the result was frustrating. Kento's fans on Reddit called him a legend and the biggest "What If" in badminton, with many expressing their sadness at his retirement and gratitude for the memories he gave them.
Kento's retirement marks the end of a challenging chapter in his career, where he struggled to regain his form after the accident. Despite his early exit at the Tokyo Olympics, Kento's impact on the sport and his dedication to his craft are undeniable. With his retirement, the badminton world bids farewell to one of its greatest players, whose trademark moves and dominating presence will be sorely missed.
Wisconsin vs Michigan: Buzzer-Beating Basketball Champions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
BWF World Ranking system
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Ranking is the official ranking system for badminton players who participate in tournaments sanctioned by the federation. The ranking is used to determine qualification for major tournaments such as the World Championships, Summer Olympic Games, and BWF World Tour tournaments. The seedings of draws at these tournaments are also based on the BWF World Rankings.
The ranking points are awarded based on the level and progress of the tournament for each player or pair. These points are calculated based on the tournaments each player or pair has participated in over the last 52 weeks. If a player or pair has participated in ten or fewer World Ranking tournaments, their ranking is determined by adding together the points won at tournaments in the last 52 weeks. However, if a player or pair has participated in 11 or more World Ranking tournaments, only the ten highest points scores in the 52-week period count towards their ranking.
The highest possible ranking points as of 2022 were 124,000, with the highest points ever achieved being 122,606 by Viktor Axelsen as ranking points were frozen from 2020 to 2022. The points system has undergone some changes over the years, with the new system having higher point values than the previous one. For example, at the Olympic Games, the third-place winner will receive 11,500 points, while the previous point system awarded 9,200 points.
The BWF World Rankings include a separate category for players under 19 years of age, called the BWF World Junior Ranking, which was introduced in January 2011.
As of May 2025, Shi Yuqi of the People's Republic of China holds the top spot in the men's rankings, a position he has held since June 2024. Olympic champion An Seyoung of the Republic of Korea is the top-ranked woman, becoming her nation's first female singles number one since Bang Soohyun in 1996.
Widening Basketball Shoes: Easy DIY Tricks for Comfier Feet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Qualification for tournaments
As of May 2025, Shi Yuqi and An Seyoung are ranked No. 1 in the BWF World Ranking for badminton. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) sanctions tournaments and also determines the official ranking of badminton players participating in these tournaments. The number of points awarded to a player depends on their level and progress in the tournament.
The BWF World Ranking is used to determine qualification for major tournaments. The following paragraphs outline the qualification process for tournaments, including the requirements and procedures for registering and participating in badminton competitions.
When it comes to qualification for tournaments, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Ranking plays a crucial role. It serves as the official ranking system for badminton players who compete in BWF-sanctioned tournaments. The ranking is based on a points system, with players accumulating points based on their performance and progress in the tournaments they participate in.
The qualification process for a tournament can vary depending on the specific tournament and the region it is held in. For example, the USA Badminton Junior Tournament Schedule outlines the process for junior players in the United States. Before registering for a tournament, junior players must ensure they have a current USA Badminton membership. First-time participants are also required to submit age verification documents to the specified email address. Additionally, all events must be paid in full, including any applicable technical official fees. Coaches are required to have a valid USAB-issued Coaching Pass for the current season, and if not, they must apply for one by the deadline specified in the tournament prospectus.
The BWF World Ranking is used to determine the seedings of draws at all BWF-sanctioned tournaments. Players under 19 years of age are eligible for the BWF World Junior Ranking. The ranking takes into account the tournaments played by each player or pair in the last 52 weeks. If a player or pair has participated in ten or fewer World Ranking tournaments, their ranking is calculated by adding up the points earned in the last 52 weeks. However, if they have participated in 11 or more tournaments, only the ten highest-scoring tournaments within the 52-week period are considered for their ranking. The ranking points are also influenced by the level of the tournament, with Super 1000 Tournaments carrying more weight.
ACC Basketball Tournament: Where to Watch This Year
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
As of May 2025, the world number one in men's badminton is Shi Yuqi.
Viktor Axelsen was the previous number one, holding the spot for 132 weeks before his injury at the Indonesia Open.
The rankings are based on the level and progress of tournaments played by each player or pair over a 52-week period. If a player has participated in 11 or more tournaments, only their 10 highest scores count.
Viktor Axelsen achieved the highest ranking points total of 122,606, although the highest possible points have since increased to 124,000 and will be 125,000 in 2023.
